Wondering what cliche President Obama will use first in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday? So are the oddsmakers.
Paddy Power, Ireland’s biggest bookmaking operation, is giving 8-1 odds that “We have more work to do” will be the first cliche the president is likely to drop. Next-most likely are “As I stand here today,” and “health care reform” — though given the usual structure of State of the Union speeches, that latter one will likely be saved for the last half of the speech.
Paddy Power also gives 12-1 odds the president will say “God Bless America,” though the usual sign-off is “God Bless the United States of America.”
It’s like a drinking game for political geeks. Here’s the whole list from Paddy Power:
Cliché Betting: What Will Obama say first?
8/1 We have more work to do
10/1 Health care reform
10/1 As I stand here today
12/1 Fundamental belief
12/1 God bless America
12/1 Crossroads of history
12/1 Defining moment
12/1 Make Washington work
14/1 Common purpose
16/1 Pursuit of happiness
16/1 Building a better America
16/1 Reduce the deficit
18/1 War on terror
18/1 It won’t be easy
18/1 Hungry for change
18/1 My civil liberties
20/1 Honor for me
20/1 I have a dream
20/1 Willing to listen to each other
20/1 Yes, we can
20/1 Don’t get me wrong
25/1 Hard to believe
25/1 I’m fired up
25/1 Withdraw our troops
25/1 There are better days ahead
25/1 Do-nothing Congress
25/1 We’ll have to make hard choices
25/1 We can be one people
25/1 A new direction
33/1 For far too long
33/1 Safe from harm
33/1 Jobs to the jobless
33/1 Reshapes our economy
40/1 Deepest gratitude
40/1 Greatness of our nation
40/1 Possibilities of this nation
40/1 Florida primary
50/1 Believe in what this country can be
50/1 Unity is the great need of the hour
50/1 In the face of despair, you believe there can be hope
50/1 We can work together to keep our country safe
50/1 Abiding faith
66/1 Brighter day will come
66/1 Publish tax returns
66/1 Washington has a long way to go
80/1 Overcome the adversity
80/1 Bloated federal government
100/1 Diversity of my heritage
100/1 Yes, we might
250/1 Life is like a box of chocolates
